The Heavy Stick We Wield

Last night I trained with the guys for th first time this year. And it was intense to say the

least. Instead or swinging the regular rattan stick I swung a heavy kamagong stick. And it was bulky and the weight shifted too much to keep any sort of balance to it and unless you are an experience escrimador I don't recommend for new practicioners to be wielding it. It will just hurt your wrist.

Hitting the tires and th bags with those heavy sticks were no jokes. But when we switched to the lighter sticks I was flying

But my back is sore and I can't get up.

I love stickfighting
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Turtle style

So today's class I find myself developing more and more as an escrimador. Today we worked on the ABC blade technique. When my students asked why are we using the full stick when a knife is a lot shorter than that. I said well if you can clear a 24" stick while acting like it's a blade the how much more easier it is when it's a 4" knife? Which makes so much freekin sense that it made me wonder hmm did I always know that or was it something I did during my days as a student and never really understood why. I am so happy with my student's progress that I remember how they use to twirl now I am very proud to see the excell.

Then I wanted to re-emphasize the kawi hand. Cause I truly believe that the stick hand kills your enemy but it's your kawit hand is what will save your life.


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Dream Whisperer

In my personal studies of the scripture, it is clear that God does convey His message to us in many ways. But one unique way is through our dreams. Unique meaning that only a faitful few can interpret them. In the case of Joseph were Pharaoh couldn't interpret his own dream. Again with King Nebachanezzer. Joseph
himself said the business of interpreting dreams is God work.

Last night I had a dream. And here is what I saw. In the dream I joined a very old style of martial arts. I want to say it's Kung Fu for it was very heavy on the traditions and that the Grandmaster's word is law. Well there was a technique or move that I developed but the move has requirements in order for it to work. I was carrying an old muskett, you know the kind that was used during the American Revolution. And affixed on it was a bayonet. The move requires someone from behind me to grab me. And the move has me killing the enemy behind me by cutting his throat and down to his heart.

When I showed that to my old grandmaster he said that the move is not how they do things. And he ordered me to never so that move again. Perplexed why would he say that, and when I asked him why not? He yelled at me, and then as I was about to react, I woke up.

What do you think that means? My friends have said that my Jedi power is dream interetations. I always thought that God blessed me with this gift and now I need to use it. I think I have interpret it already but I shall pray more to see it more clearly.


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Western Regional

This past November was the WEKAF USA Western Regional and after seeing the Cebu tournament I sure was glad there were less people. It was hosted by Master Steve Del Castillo and this year's venue was surely unique. For at the same j
E the tournament was happening there was an ANIME expo going on. And thatsure made things interesting. All these Anime Fans were dressed up in their favorite character and the weird thing was our group was the weird one.

As far as Visayan Legacy all our fighters placed second or higher and of course we took home the coveted team trophy. All around a great tournament. And was capped off with dinner with the whole stick fam. It's always great hanging out with my stickfighting family.

What do I do when...

Eversince people learned that I practice Filipino Martial Arts I get some more often than not these type of questions.

So here is my answer to those query...

Question:
What if someone pulls a gun/knife/pipe etc and ask for your money what would you do?

Answer:
Give that person my money. My life is far worth more than whatever amount I carry in my pockets. I can always make more money (sure not as much as I would like) but I can't make another me.

People are in a daze to hear me say those things. I think they expect me to pull a Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon Move. Trust me that movie was all fantasy. But that's what that us a fantasy. If anything a responsible martial arts instructor should teach you how to survive first. And in that situation why risk it over a few dollar bills. There is nothing in this world more precious than your life.

Now don't get me wrong if after I give the money and I feel my life was still in danger well it's on like donkey kong. But self defense starts with self awareness. Be aware of the situation around you. Pastor Rick Warren author of Purposr Driven Life said stay focused for just like light, focused well enough it can cut through anything such as rock or a sheet of metal.

So till next time keep swinging.

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Training

My students know that I don't care so much for speed or power, but more important is accuracy.

Who cares how fast you are or no matter how strong when you keep missing the target does it matter? Accuracy once mastered is then a matter of adding either more speed or power but at least each strike counts.


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FILIPINO MARTIAL ARTS

Filipino Martial Arts is the indigenous martial arts of the Philippines.  I have always wanted to make a video of me and my crazy obsession with stickifghting and now thanks to the magic of a digital camera as well as iMovie and Garage Band from APPLE, I was able to make this video.   This is a very rough first video but I think it will only get better in time.  As you can see I know my spacing very well as not once did the GIANT T.V. behind me was in ever any danger.  And for all those that say big people can't move, well this should say otherwise.  You can find us at www.fmaschool.com

Special thanks goes out to Aaron Grodin for helping me make the track... Camera Operators Joy and Kiko Noche (my niece and nephew) as well as Chief Jo and Sonny Napial for always believing in me and for Guro John Garcia who always supported me as well as the rest of VISAYAN LEGACY ASSOCIATION for always having my back.  And last but not least the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY for without HIM none of this would be here.